Sunday 25 September 2011

Veve Dream Girl Ellie Gonsalves


 We are excited to share our exclusive interview with Dream Girl Ellie Gonsalves.
She was happy to answer some questions about herself and being a Veve Dream Girl. 


How old are you? 20 years young.

Where did you grow up? I grew up on acreage outside of Brisbane, riding horses & bikes! Its one of my favorite past times - I had a really grounding, wild childhood!

Do you have brothers and sisters or are you an only child? I have a big family, I have two younger sisters & one older brother. Family is truly one of the most important factors in my life, I am really grateful for having them by my side.

When you were a little girl, what did you imagine you would be doing when you grew up? Definitely NOT modeling! Ha ha! When I was a little girl, I always envisioned myself to be an actress or a singer... I was such a tomboy, so I always wanted to be in a Batman movie as a touch chick – something like a cat woman character!

As a little girl, who were the people that you looked up to or wanted to be like?
I’ve always been someone to have a very crazy, vivid imagination & I wanted to be a singer/actress. I really looked up to people like Delta Goodrem, Mandy Moore & one of my closest friends Hayley through school. Throughout my life I have realized that I need tangible people to look up to, so people I know personally who I believe have great success at what they do have been a big impact on me & my personal journey of development.

Who inspires you now, and why?
I have very many influences in my life for all different reasons. The closest people to me know I am such an in depth thinker & have role models for all areas of my life. For example, my career as an international model I look up to the women who have gone before me & achieved the things I want to achieve; I look up to names like Miranda Kerr, Rosie Huntington & Elle Macpherson. Health & Fitness - Anthony Robbins and again Miranda Kerr. Spirituality & Positive Mindset – Anthony Robbins, Miranda Kerr, Rhonda Byrne & Deepak Chopra. Family & Work/Life Balance – Anthony Robbins & Phillip Di Bella. These people tie into my bigger picture & give me guidance as to how to achieve my goals in all of these specific areas. I also really look up to my partner Ross, he has had a huge part in making me the person I am now – positive circle of influence is everything & he has given me such a vast education on many areas of life & succeeding in everything I set my heart to achieving.

Do you have another job besides modeling?
Ever since leaving school in 2008, I started modeling full time & landed my first international cover at 19, since then my career has grown through dedication, goal setting & belief in myself when others didn’t. When leaving school I had so many peoples opinions in my ear as to how to start my life & what they thought I should do, but at that time I had a dream & a vision (which I definitely did not have as much clarity on as I do today) as to what direction I wanted to go & who I wanted to take with me on that journey & have never looked back. It has taught me to always follow my heart & be my own person.

Why and how did you get started in modeling? At age 13, I was scouted in Brisbane City by an agency while I was shopping with my mum. I thought it was a joke at first, you wouldn’t have gotten me into a dress or makeup for a million dollars when I was that age, especially because of how tomboyish I was! After going into the agency with my mum, I received work throughout my school life (although I limited modeling jobs as the main focus was my school work). I then really started to enjoy it in my last few years of highschool once I grew into myself & enjoyed being a bit more girly.

What 5 words best describe your personality? Passionate, Creative, Positive, Loving & Inspiring.

BEING A VEVE DREAM GIRL

Why did you enter the Face of Veve competition? Two years ago now I entered the first ‘Face of Veve Swimwear’ competition, with my positive outlook & confidence behind me I had a call from Vanessa, the director of Veve Swimwear, congratulating me on taking out the winning spot out of hundreds of hopefuls around Australia. Since then I have become an ambassador for Veve Swimwear & have formed such incredible relationships with very special people because of it… Again, I felt as though I had to follow my heart & enter the competition - I am so happy I did! The other 3 Veve Dream Girls - Becky, Renee & Dani are a group of girls I adore with my entire heart – Vanessa couldn’t have picked a better group of girls who get along as well as we all do! When we were on location together shooting the new collection we were always in fits of laughter at each other especially when it came to speaking to the camera. They are three girls who really shine from the inside out & make me feel the true value of friendship.

What does being a Veve Dream Girl mean to you? A Veve Dream Girl to me is a confident, healthy, driven, positive & passionate girl. Someone who follows their dreams with confidence & drive no matter how far away they may seem. It is about shining from the inside out for the world to see, whilst sharing your passion with the people surrounding you. I believe following your goals & dreams out loud gives others silent permission to follow their own - you don't need to TRY to inspire, your journey speaks for itself & your story naturally inspires others.

What collection describes your personality best?

Day Dream Glamorous, Sparkly & Classy: I am most definitely, without a doubt a ‘Day Dream’ girl! I love my swimwear to be something that represents my inner personality which can sometimes be difficult when you are wearing so little, but Veve has been the swimwear label that has nailed my vision of a sexy but classy bikini range that says a lot about who I am & how I feel. I like being that girl that sparkles!

What do you love about Veve? I’ve always been in search of swimwear that was completely flattering on my figure & truly made me feel special & confident every time I wear it. When you feel confident you shine from the inside out. Being an ambassador for Veve for the second year in a row now, I have been so privileged to wear all of the swimsuits that have been released & there is not one that didn’t make me feel like a princess.

How do you feel when you wear Veve? Veve makes me feel like the only girl on the beach, when you wear Veve no other swimsuit or girl wearing it can compare... All eyes are on YOU!

Where do you wear your Veves? I wear my Veves whenever & wherever I possibly can, I travel to the snow & take 10 pairs with me in the hope I can wear them in the hot tub… I have worn Veve around the world, from the heat of Las Vegas to the snow in New Zealand! There is not one place I travel without my Veves!




Coming soon will be more interviews with our stunning Dream Girls.


Veve x

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.-Harriet Tubman












Tuesday 6 September 2011

Veve Dream Girl Renee Somerfield

This week we are excited to share our exclusive interview with Dream Girl Renee Somerfield. 
She was happy to answer questions about herself and about being a Veve Dream Girl.




How old are you? 21
Where did you grow up? Sydney, NSW
Do you have brothers or sisters or are you an only child? I have one younger brother, who is 17.

When you were a little girl, what did you imagine you would be doing when you grew up? My grandmother always reminds me that when I was a little girl I would always talk about being a truck driver when I grew up! This is believable because I was such a tom boy!

As a little girl, who were the people that you looked up to or wanted to be like? I remember always watching my mother in the mornings put her makeup on! I just used to sit there, watch and admire. I remember thinking I wanted to be that glamorous!

Who inspires you now, and why? My number one inspiration at this present time has to be Miranda Kerr. Not only is she absolutely out of this world stunning, but her healthy, positive attitude is what inspires me most. I always thought she was beautiful, but it wasn’t until I read her book “Treasure Yourself” that I was truly inspired. With her positive words and affirmations, she has empowered me to follow my dreams and reach them and taught me that anything in life is possible.

Do you have another job besides modelling? Yes! I have been a corporate sales rep for nearly 3 years! I have sold everything from finance, warranties, prestige cars, corporate gym memberships, wholesale fashion & hair products! I hope to inspire young ladies that you can succeed in your professional career as well as your modelling career, it does not have to be one or the other. Oh, and models have brains too!

Why and how did you get started in modelling? I started modelling because, to be honest, I was curious! Curious to see what the industry is all about and if I could pursue it. Being younger I would always flick through magazines and think “I want to be just like her”.  I have always been so interested in the glamorous modelling world and it took me a very long time to work up the courage and book my first shoot. It isn’t as glamorous as everyone probably thinks it is though, it is extremely hard work! But, I am always HAPPY for 4.00am starts, freezing cold weather in tiny bikinis and long tiring days – because I LOVE it and it is my PASSION. I have never been happier than when I am behind the camera! And I always remember (when I am tired, exhausted or having a bad day) that what I have now was once among the things I had only hoped for!

What 5 words describes your personality? Outgoing, funny, LOVING, passionate & down to earth!

Being a Veve Dream Girl

Why did you enter the Face of Veve competition? Being the Face of Veve was my dream! I have been a huge fan of Veve for years and would wear it everywhere with passion. I couldn’t think of a label I wanted to represent more and I knew if I won the Face of Veve, everyone would see my true happiness shine behind the camera. Remember, all things are possible for those who believe – being the Face of Veve started off as one of my dreams. If I didn’t believe in my dream, I wouldn’t be a Dream Girl!

What does being a dream girl mean to you? Being a dream girl to me means being healthy, positive, confident and living with passion – and also inspiring others! Living with my 3 fellow Dream Girls for 4 days was a truly life changing experience. Not only have I made friends for life but I was also so inspired by them all! Each Dream Girl is so unique and so beautiful in their own way and they have each inspired me in different ways. Becky, Dani and Ellie were all such confident, happy, healthy, positive and driven girls! And when Vanessa says that she not only chose the “Dream Girls” on their looks, but their attitudes and positive outlook on life, she is not lying!

What collection describes you personality best? I think the Summer Daze collection describes my personality best! I am definitely girly, fun and bubbly! Bows and frills are my kind of bikini!

What do you love about Veve? I love that Veve is so distinctly unique, glamorous, sexy and stylish! Every single collection I am absolutely obsessed with and I have never, ever been more excited about a label launching every year! I own more bikini’s than I do underwear and I have never had as many compliments as I do in my Veve’s. Not only does Veve sell you swimwear, but they also believe in being healthy, positive and living life with love and passion. Being inspired while bikini shopping – what an amazing label!

How do you feel when you wear your Veve? When I wear my Veve’s not only do I feel sexy and glamorous but I truly feel confident! These bikini’s make me feel so happy and love life!

Where do you wear your Veves? Every weekend you will find me at the beach, by the pool or on our boat in my Veves! From Cronulla to Bondi, NSW’s central coast to far north Queensland, I am always by the water and in my Veve’s! Nothing makes me happier than sun, salt, sand and offcourse my Veve Glamour Swimwear.


We would like to share with you some photos of Renee when she was younger.

Coming soon will be more interviews with our stunning Dream Girls.



Veve x